“Oh bloody hell. Do we need to go down there?”
“They’re up in the magistrate’s court in the morning. Let’s see what happens. Jules said their solicitors reckon the evidence is so flimsy any half decent judge will throw the case out before it gets transferred to the crown court.”
“In theory but - as we know from vast experience - things never work out like that for us.”
He took her hands. “If the worst does happen I want you to stay here. Allow me to finish,” he said when her eyes darkened and she opened her mouth to retort. “Ethan needs you. All this mess with Isabella and Freddie needs sorting out.”
“Yes, you’re right,” she sighed. “You don’t want me to stay here because you don’t think I can handle it then?”
“Of course not my Amazon,” he said, kissing her. “You’re stronger than ever but our son needs his mother.”
“He does. Don’t worry, I’ll stay and I won’t whinge about it.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her close. “But I do have such a bad feeling about all this.”
CHAPTER 15
Miller sat opposite Sheldon Waterston, the lab tech who had found Jez Law’s DNA on Estelle’s body, bored out of her mind. He hadn’t stopped droning on ever since they’d sat down in the admittedly high class restaurant he’d brought her to. His voice had the quality of a bee that wouldn’t quit, voice slightly nasal and pinched. He sat opposite her looking all squat and unpleasant, his short dark hair plastered to his head with what appeared to be Brylcreem. It seemed he and Dwyer used the same hair products. His face was completely circular, even more so than the plates sat before them, which didn’t match his skinny frame. His skin was shiny and flushed red with alcohol. His eyes she had to admit were rather pretty, a twinkling blue framed by thick lashes. But that was the only pleasing part of his anatomy. Other than that he was a short, sweaty, moon-faced runt with all the sex appeal of a potato.
“Have some more wine,” she said, topping up his glass, interrupting his monotonous flow about the ferrets he kept. She liked cute furry things as much as anyone but after listening to him talk about them for a full hour she could happily drive over one with her car and not trouble her conscience one bit.
“Oh yes, thank you,” he said, looking a little dismayed that his glass was once again full of red wine. “I shouldn’t really, I don’t usually drink very much.”
“Enjoy yourself,” she said, refilling her own glass. “Neither of us are driving and we can share a taxi.”
She injected a lot of promise into that sentence, making him flush even more.
“In that case,” he said, picking up the glass and taking a sip. “Why not?”
“So,” she purred, leaning closer, desperately trying to ignore the stench of garlic emanating from his breath. Watching him tear into that plate of mussels had not been the most pleasant experience of her life. “How’s work?”
“Oh fascinating, as usual.”
“Were you the one who did the DNA test that nailed Jez Law?”
“Keep it under your hat but I was,” he winked.
“Wow, that is exciting. You’re a hero.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he grinned, his rounded face now so red he resembled a cherry tomato.
“We’ve been trying for so long to nab him but we couldn’t do it. It took you and your genius.”
“Really, it was nothing,” he said with false modesty. “Just doing my job.”
“Dwyer’s going to take all the credit for this when really it was down to you. Without your expertise he wouldn’t have had the evidence to bring him in.”
“Yes, us lab techs are the unsung heroes,” he said a little miserably.
“It’s so not fair,” she said sympathetically.
“I know,” he sighed. “That’s the burden I have to bear. But it’s reward enough knowing a very dangerous man is finally locked up.”
“But he might not stay in prison. A court might set him free. Just because his DNA’s on her clothes doesn’t mean he killed her.”
“Well that’s Dwyer’s own burden. I’ve done my part.”
“True,” she smiled, topping up his glass again.
Their dessert plates were cleared by a waiter, who asked if they wanted coffee. Sheldon, who was clearly expecting the evening to go in a certain direction said no without asking Miller if she wanted any and asked for the bill. When the waiter had gone he gave her a dopey, drunken smile.
“Shall I tell you a secret?” he said, leaning into her.
“I love secrets,” she smiled.
“I bet you do. I’m sure that’s why most people become police officers.” He paused to look around, releasing a belch at the same time, which he had the decency to exhale away from her before turning back to face her. “The sample I took was just under the limit required for profiling. Also, the victim’s shirt was made of polycotton blend, which isn’t as easy to get a sample from as other materials. ”
“Really? So are the results of the test at all accurate?”
“Well, yes.”
“You don’t sound too sure.”
“Because…” He sighed and trailed off.
“What is it Sheldon?” she said, placing her hand over his. “Something’s bothering you.”
“I’m not sure I should mention it.”
“You look so miserable,” she said gently. “Let me help.”
He gazed at her like an adoring puppy. “Okay. Dwyer brought me Estelle’s clothing to analyse personally. They’d been bagged and tagged by Liverpool to keep them sterile but the bag showed evidence of tampering.”
Her hand flew to her mouth in mock shock. “You mean you think he tampered with it?”
“Now I’m not saying that. It could have been someone in Liverpool but…”
“Dwyer’s such a stickler for the rules he would have reported it.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not.” He huffed out a breath and sat up straighter in his seat. “I feel better just for talking about it. Thank you Sandra.”
“You’re welcome,” she distractedly replied. This was great news. Even if Sheldon was wrong about Dwyer tampering with Estelle’s clothes, which she had no proof he did, the DNA evidence against Jez Law could still be thrown out. DNA touch evidence was fragile, to say the least. The profile matched but it was gained through very low levels of DNA and presence of DNA doesn’t provide proof as to how it got there. A smart lawyer, which Jez had, could easily pull that apart, if they knew only low levels of DNA had been found and that it had possibly been tampered with. At last she had something to tell Jules Maguire, which was a relief. Now she just had to get rid of the drunken gnome opposite her.
He released a second, louder belch that seemed to alarm him, a hand going to his stomach.
“Excuse me,” he said. “I need the bathroom.”
While he lurched off the waiter returned with the bill, which she paid. Although she had zero romantic interest in Sheldon she did feel a little guilty about using him. “When my friend returns,” she told the waiter. “Could you tell him I’ve been called away on a work emergency?”
The waiter flashed her a knowing look. He’d been wondering the entire evening what a corker like her was doing with that hobgoblin. “Of course Madam.”
“Thank you,” she said, hastily leaving before Sheldon returned. As she exited the restaurant a taxi was just dropping off a fare, so she hopped inside and gave him her home address.
As the taxi set off she took out her phone and smiled. She’d managed to record everything Sheldon had told her.
Jules sat in the gallery of the magistrate’s court with Cathy, Mark, Beth and a tired-looking Riley.
When Jez and Mikey were brought up Jules got to her feet. Mikey looked up, searching for her, smiling when his gaze found her.
“Jez,” called Cathy as he was placed in the dock alongside Mikey.
He looked up and gave her a wink.
Movement at the far end of the gallery drew th
eir attention and they saw Dwyer taking a seat looking so sure of himself Jules felt sick.
They all rose as the judge took his place behind the bench before retaking their seats.
“Jesus, he must be a hundred,” Mark whispered to Jules.
“I wonder where they dug him up from,” she said, glancing mistrustfully at Dwyer.
Both Mikey and Jez pleaded not guilty to the charges that were read out against them.
The prosecution went first, detailing the evidence. As the man spoke a chill descended over Jules. Even she had to admit that it sounded bad. She glanced at Cathy, afraid she’d start to believe the pack of lies Dwyer had stacked up but she appeared defiant. The defence came next, detailing the persecution Dwyer had subjected their family too, as well as the fact that his own brother had attempted to kill Rachel and had shot Bruiser. To Jules’s dismay the bitter-looking old judge, who had a startling resemblance to a vulture, appeared unmoved.
“Due to the severity of the charges,” began the judge in a dry but strong voice. “And the fact that the defendants are a flight risk, bail is denied.”
Jules shot to her feet. “You daft old fart. Can’t you see they’re being set up?”
“Sit down before they nick you too,” said Beth, tugging on her arm and pulling her back into her seat.
The judge’s sharp eyes searched the gallery. “One more outburst like that and the perpetrator will be in contempt,” he said. When silence reigned he added, “The case will be committed to the crown court for trial.” He banged his gavel, indicating proceedings were at an end.
Mikey’s head whipped round to look at his wife and he gave her a warning look not to shout out again. If she was banged up too they were well and truly fucked.
He looked back at the judge and saw his gaze connect with Dwyer’s, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. The bastards were in it together. It reminded him of The Coalition, that shadowy organisation made up of some of the city’s most influential people whose main aim had been to bring them down. Realisation struck - the ropey evidence, the CPS agreeing the evidence threshold limit had been met for charges, the judge committing their case to the crown court. That explained everything. But the original Coalition had been disbanded long ago, thanks to his family. Benton had been central to it but he could have told Dwyer and he was continuing his brother’s work. He had to speak to Jules. She hadn’t been part of the family when the original Coalition were around so she wouldn’t know the signs.
The police officer beside him put a hand on his arm and began urging him back to the stairs that would take them down to the holding cells below the court. He kept twisting in his grip in an effort to keep his wife in his line of sight, who looked impossibly sad.
“I can fucking walk,” snarled Jez at the officer attempting to lead him away.
“Do you want to go straight into segregation when you get to prison?” retorted the officer.
“Don’t Jez,” said Mikey when he glared at the officer, chest heaving with rage, the officer looking worried. Two of his colleagues stepped up, ready to intervene.
“You’re not fucking worth it,” Jez snarled at them before stomping down the stairs.
Outside the courtroom Jules strode up to Dwyer before he could exit the building, Mark closely following so he could stop her from doing anything reckless.
“Oy you, you slimy git,” she said, grabbing Dwyer’s arm and turning him to face her, ignoring the gang of reporters gathered just outside the building, eagerly peering through the main doors, which were standing open. “Do you really think you’re going to get away with setting them up?”
“Venom,” he smiled pleasantly. “How nice to see you again. I know this may be hard for you to believe but they are guilty. The evidence says it all.”
“Evidence you planted. Everyone knows you fit people up.”
“That’s a very serious charge. If that was true surely I would have been done for it but I’ve never received so much as a formal reprimand.”
“Because you’re too clever but this time you fucked with the wrong family.”
“Jules, take it easy,” Riley told her, coming up behind her.
“You horrible little runt,” said Cathy, jabbing Dwyer in the shoulder. “It’s all a pack of lies.”
“If it is then you’ve nothing to worry about. Or are you afraid that you’re finally seeing your husband for what he really is and that he had your ex sister-in-law killed?”
“He didn’t, he wouldn’t.”
“But you’re not entirely sure about that, are you Mrs Law? It’s lurking there in the back of your mind - what if he really did do it?”
“Shut it Dwyer,” spat Jules. “You’re poisonous, just like your dead brother.” She thrust her face into his. “And you remember what happened to him.”
“Right, time to go,” said Riley, taking her by the shoulders and steering her outside.
“Piss off you bunch of nosy dicks,” Jules yelled at the assembled press, who all retreated when she drew back her fist. Riley and Mark between them hastily ushered her on.
Dwyer smiled pleasantly at them all as they passed him by, glowering. He could be magnanimous in victory. He’d achieved what had always seemed impossible. He had put Mikey Maguire and Jez Law in prison.
Jules returned to The Manor with Mark where Carter and Shane were waiting for them.
“We’ve already heard,” said Shane when they walked into the meeting room. “It’s all over the news.”
“We’re the strongest family in the entire country,” said Jules, flopping into a chair. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
“But it has and now it’s damage limitation time,” said Mark. “As well as working to get them released we need to shore up security. The lower orders will start chancing their arms.”
She nodded. “I’ll get onto our contacts in the media and get them to run stories supporting the boys. We’ll leak details of Dwyer’s obsession with our family and the fact that it was his brother who killed Danny and tried to kill Rachel and Bruiser. The other rags should pick up the story too, they love shit like that. Hopefully it will be enough to throw everything into doubt in the public’s mind.” She thought of Josh and Zach and her heart broke at the prospect of them finding out their dad had been arrested for murdering their mum. “I’ll pressure our political contacts too, although no doubt their arseholes are puckering up with fear as we speak. They may try and distance themselves from us. Mark, I want you ensuring the security of not only The Manor but every single drug run. Carter, you can help him with that. Business must go on as usual, especially the McVay deliveries. I also want our best men sent to my house and to Jez’s to watch over Cathy and all the kids. This isn’t war but better safe than sorry.”
Both men nodded.
“What can I do?” said Shane.
“Go back to Liverpool,” replied Jules. “Immediately.”
“But I’ll feel like I’m abandoning you.”
“You’re not, you’re ensuring there’s no rebellion. We took Liverpool by force, not negotiation. If they’re going to mutiny then now will be the time and if we lose Liverpool we will be seriously weakened. Toni McVay might see it as a chance to become the strongest again.”
Shane got to his feet. “You’re right. I’ll go back there right now.”
“If there is any insurrection put it down as brutally as possible. We have to show everyone that we are still not to be fucked with.”
He nodded. “Please keep me in the loop and if there’s anything I can do…”
She patted his arm. “We will, don’t worry.”
Shane gave her hand a gentle squeeze before leaving.
“Gentlemen,” said Jules, addressing Mark and Carter. “It’s up to us three to keep things ticking over until the boys are back, which they soon will be. Keep a close eye on all our people. If anyone kicks off you make a big messy example of them.”
They nodded.
“In that courtroom a strange loo
k passed between the judge and Dwyer. I think they’re in on it together. What is it?” she said when Mark sighed and shook his head.
“It was before your time with the family but The Coalition got Rachel remanded to prison…”
She inhaled sharply. “Mikey told me about it. They were also responsible for a lot of other nasty shenanigans.”
Mark nodded. “I didn’t work for the family then either but I heard about it.”
“Dwyer’s brother was part of the original coalition. No doubt he told him about it.”
“Who was in this coalition?” said Carter.
“The owner of a newspaper,” said Jules. “A local MP and a crown court judge.” She thumped her fist off the table. “A judge, just like that beak-nosed bastard who put them on remand. Dwyer must have someone in the CPS onside too otherwise he wouldn’t have got them into court today in the first place.”
“Jesus. With contacts like that it would be easy for Dwyer to get Mikey and Jez sent down.”
“Everything’s making sense now,” said Jules. “We need to track down this new coalition and stop them in their tracks, ideally without bloodshed but I’m perfectly willing to murder the fuckers if necessary. At least we know the identity of one of them - Judge Bridges, the stale old fart. Our little spy on Dwyer’s team will hopefully help us confirm the identities of the others. I also want to reel in as many influential people as we can and get them dancing to our tune. But the main priority is getting rid of the two main witnesses - McGinnis and the bastard traitor Declan. No matter who Dwyer has on his side, he has no case without that pair.”
“As far as I can find,” said Carter. “Declan’s still in Ireland. He’ll probably stay out there until he has to give evidence in court.”
“If he thinks that’s going to protect him then he’s fucking wrong,” she snarled. “Without those witnesses Dwyer’s case is all circumstantial. All that shit about Amber wanting custody of the boys. Unbelievable. Why would Declan even bother to get revenge for Amber anyway after what that cow did to him?”
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